Creative New Zealand
A biennial leadership development programme for new senior arts leaders in Aotearoa, featuring wānanga, expert sessions, and peer coaching.
The New Leaders Programme is a biennial professional development initiative from Creative New Zealand, designed to support leaders who are new to senior executive roles within arts organisations and communities across Aotearoa.
Building on the successful inaugural programme in 2025, the 2027 iteration brings together a kāhui (cohort) of up to 25 emerging arts leaders for a rich, year-long learning journey running from February to November 2027.
The programme covers key areas of leadership including
The programme blends online learning with three in-person/ā-tinana wānanga held at Creative New Zealand offices in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). Monthly online sessions with mātanga (experts) run from March to October, and peer-focused online sessions run from April to November. Optional mentoring or coaching sessions are also available.
Participants are encouraged to identify a leadership challenge they are currently facing and receive coaching support to work through it alongside their peers.
Please note: There is no monetary grant associated with this programme. Participants must secure endorsement from their governing body or Board, and cover their own costs to attend the in-person wānanga, including travel and accommodation.
To be eligible, you must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, and have been in your senior executive role for less than two years.
Applications are made via an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. You'll need to prepare responses covering your role, what you hope to gain, knowledge gaps you wish to address, a brief biography, and the leadership challenge you'd like to focus on for coaching. The EOI form cannot be saved and returned to, so prepare your responses in advance.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 12 October 2026 and asked to provide a referee endorsement from their organisation or community.
For accessibility support or to discuss your requirements, contact Creative New Zealand before applying.
